CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Noah Gragson will get another chance in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 after a controversial social media incident ended his rookie campaign earlier this year.
Stewart-Haas Racing hired Gragson to take over the No. 10 Ford Mustang in the Cup Series for 2024, the team announced Wednesday. Gragson will be partnered with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer for the season.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing and while most people in the industry are happy that the offseason is here, I want to get started in 2024 and go racing as soon as I can,” Gragson said in a release.
Gragson's first full-time shot at the Cup Series came in 2023 with Legacy Motor Club. Gragson drove 21 races but was unable to grab a Top 10 and had a best finish of 12th at Atlanta, his only Top 15 of the season. To make matters worse, Gragson had six DNFs during the year and missed the race at Sonoma due to an injury.
His lackluster season came to an end on Aug. 5 when he was suspended by the team and NASCAR for liking an insensitive meme on Instagram. He asked to be released from Legacy Motor Club following the incident.
"I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media," Gragson wrote on X after the suspension. "I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone."
Gragson was reinstated in September after completing diversity and inclusion training, according to NASCAR.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to NASCAR for reinstating me," Gragson said, in part, in a statement in September. "Over the past several weeks, I have dedicated myself to personal growth and reflection, and I believe I have become a better person because of it."
Before taking his talents to the Cup Series, Gragson was one of the best drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Gragson has won 13 races in the series, including a series-high eight victories in 2022. Gragson finished second in the championship standings in 2022.
Gragson's first attempts at the Cup Series came in 2021 when he made 15 starts for Kaulig Racing and Hendrick Motorsports with a best finish of fifth at Daytona.
Stewart-Haas' No. 10 ride opened after Aric Almirola announced his retirement from full-time racing near the end of the 2023 season. Almirola's long-time partnership with Smithfield Foods ended with his departure and it's unclear at this time what sponsorship Gragson will carry.
“Noah deserves to be in the NASCAR Cup Series and we’re very happy to have him as the driver of our No. 10 Ford Mustang,” said Tony Stewart, the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. “Noah has performed at every level where he’s competed and has regularly been in championship contention. That’s the kind of driver we need at Stewart-Haas and that’s why Noah is a part of our team.”